Diet and exercise in type 2 diabetes mellitus

It is now clear that regular physical exercise plays an important role in both the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Additionally, exercise combined with dietary restriction leads to decreased body fat, increased insulin sensitivity, improved long-term glycemic control, improved lipid profiles, lower blood pressure, and increased cardiovascular fitness. The biochemical mechanisms by which acute exercise and physical training regulate glucose transport and metabolism in skeletal muscle and improve insulin sensitivity are being defined now, and recent developments in this area are discussed. In addition, guidelines are presented for the development of an exercise program and for the evaluation of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus before starting such a program.